Single-handed fibre-optic flexible laryngoscope

Abstract

A flexible laryngoscope is intended for use with a light source which produces a light beam. The laryngoscope includes a body which has a fibre-optic bundle extending therefrom including a fibre-optic cable having a viewing end and a movable free end. An eyepiece is carried on the body and is optically connected to the viewing end of the fibre-optic bundle. Suitable optics are provided for directing a light beam from the light source to the fibre-optic cable. A directing mechanism is provided and positions the fibre-optic cable at a substantially 90° angle to the eyepiece as the cable extends outwardly from the laryngoscope body. A guide mechanism is provided for controlling the location of the free end of the fibre-optic cable.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A flexible laryngoscope for use with a light source which produces a light beam comprising: an elongate laryngoscope body with a fibre-optic cable extending longitudinally outwardly from one end thereof, said cable having a viewing end attached to said body and a movable free end remote from the body;   an eyepiece carried on the other end of said body optically connected to said cable for viewing its said viewing end;   optic means joined to said body adjacent said cable's said viewing end for directing a light beam from the light source to said cable;   directing means joined to said body including a sleeve which is clearance fittable over said one end of said body, and right-angle means secured to said sleeve insertably receiving said fibre-optic cable in a manner fixing the cable, at the location of said right-angle means, in a condition extending laterally outwardly at substantially a 90° angle relative to the long axis of the body, which axis substantially coincides with the viewing axis of said eyepiece, with said cable thus extending outwardly and freely away laterally relative to the body; and   guide means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said cable for controlling the location of said cable's said free end.   
     
     
       2. The laryngoscope of claim 1, wherein said guide means includes an elongate stiff member disposed along and adjacent said fibre-optic cable. 
     
     
       3. A one-handed-operable intubation device for inserting an endotracheal tube into a trachea, for use with an endotracheal tube, comprising: a light source which produces a light beam;   a flexible laryngoscope having a laryngoscope body, a fibre-optic cable extending from said body, said cable having a viewing end attached to said body and a movable free end remote from said body, optic means joined to said body adjacent said cable's said viewing end for directing the light beam from said source to said cable, and an eyepiece optically connected to said cable for viewing the cable's said viewing end;   one-handed insertion means attached to said body, including:   directing means joined to said body for positioning and fixing said fibre-optic cable in a condition with its long axis at a substantially 90° angle relative to the viewing axis of said eyepiece at a location where said cable extends outwardly and freely away from said body;   guide means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said cable for controlling the location of said cable's free end, said guide means including an elongate stiff member disposed along and adjacent said cable; and   connection means for releasably connecting an endotracheal tube to said one-handed insertion means adjacent said directing means.   
     
     
       4. A one-handed-operable intubation device for inserting a endotracheal tube into a trachea, for use with an endotracheal tube, comprising: a light source which produces a light beam;   a laryngoscope having an elongate laryngoscope body with a fibre-optic cable extending longitudinally outwardly from one end thereof, said cable having a viewing end attached to said body and a movable free end remote from the body, optic means joined to said body adjacent said cable's said viewing end for directing a light beam from said source to said cable, and an eyepiece optically connected to said cable for viewing the cable's said viewing end;   one-handed insertion means attached to said body, including;   directing means joined to said body including a sleeve which is clearance fittable over said one end of said body, and right-angle means secured to said sleeve insertably receiving said fibre-optic cable in a manner fixing the cable, at the location of said right-angle means, in a condition extending laterally outwardly at substantially a 90° angle relative to the long axis of said body, which axis substantially coincides with the viewing axis of said eyepiece, with said cable thus extending outwardly and freely away laterally relative to the body;   guide means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said cable for controlling the location of said cable's said free end; and   connection means for releasably connecting an endotracheal tube to said one-handed insertion means adjacent said directing means.   
     
     
       5. The intubation device of claim 4, wherein said body further includes a guide means holder for holding said guide means and an eyepiece holder for holding said eyepiece, and wherein said directing means further includes relative rotation means for accommodating relative rotation between said eyepiece holder and said guide means.